The Executive Director of the Utah Department of Human Services announced his retirement Monday. Palmer DePaulis ends a 30-year public service career that began as public works director for Salt Lake City. Liz Sollis of the DHS says DePaulis created the department’s current “System of Care”. She says it’s a holistic preventative approach to getting families connected to the services they need.

“So we want to make sure all the agencies are working together so there’s one point of contact and those children and families can get those services that are culturally responsive and the most beneficial for them,” says Sollis.

She says employees will miss DePaulis’s passion for the people they serve as well as the people doing the serving. DHS employees 4000 people. She says the nationwide search will seek a replacement who has the same things in their heart as those of DePaulis. Depaulis will head the DHS until Governor Herbert names a replacement.